Scottish opposition to Brexit has hardened in two years since vote

Opposition to Brexit has strengthened in Scotland in the two years since the vote, a new poll today finds.

Almost two-thirds (66 per cent) of Scots say they would support remain in the EU with 34 per cent backing remain in the UK, according to a poll of Yougov poll of 2,000. This compares 62 per cent backing Remain in the vote two years ago to 38 per cent for Remain over Leave.

The findings increase the pressure on Nicola Sturgeon to back a second vote on the terms of Brexit which the First Minister has so far stopped short of doing. The findings suggest SNP voters want to stay in the EU by a margin of 83 per cent to 17 per cent, while they back a People’s Vote on Brexit by a margin of more than four-to-one (66 per cent to 18 per cent) once don’t knows have been removed.

“The leaderships of both the SNP and the Labour Party are in the wrong place with most of their supporters,” said leading pollster Peter Kellner. “By a margin of three to one Labour supporters want Jeremy Corbyn to campaign for a public vote while Nicola Sturgeon may yet want to move faster than she has in backing such a route on Brexit.”

The poll also reveals that the Brexit negotiations – which just over one in ten Scots (12 per cent) think will produce a good deal – is reinforcing scepticism towards Westminster.